Strictly Come Dancing 2013: Professional Dancers Announced

Despite the names of the celebrities in this year's Strictly Come Dancing not being released yet, it has been confirmed who the new professional dancers will be.

With four brand new dancers joining the show this year, and the return of Iveta Lukosiute who joined in 2012 when Aliona was injured, it takes the number of professional dancers up to 15.

There will be eight female celebrities and seven male celebrities taking to the floor in the biggest line up Strictly Come Dancing has ever seen.

The new Strictly Come Dancing Logo (BBC)

Russin born Latin dancer Anya Garnis will be making her debut on the show this year. She started dancing when she was 10-years-old and began competing with fellow Strictly star Pasha Kovalev in 1998.

Joining Anya is fellow newbie Janette Manrara. The American born dancer started performing in musical theatre at the age of 12 and has danced with the likes of Jennifer Lopez and the cast of Glee. The performer was also a finalist in season 5 of So You Think You Can Dance USA before she joined the cast of Burn the Floor in the West End in 2010.

Iveta Lukosiute is back to join Strictly permanently this year, after stepping in last series for professional dancer Aliona Vilani when she became injured. Iveta began dancing at the age of 6 and is two times World Professional Champion in the waltz, cha cha, foxtrot, jive, quickstep and tango to name a few.

Making up the numbers for the males is Aljaz Skorjanec. The 23-year-old is one of the two new male professionals joining the show this year. Born in Slovenia, Aljaz took to the dancefloor at the age of 5 and has enjoyed success in his home country where he won 19 Slovenian championships in ballroom and Latin.

Kevin Clifton is the other male dancer joining the team this year. The 29-year-old is a former Youth World Number One and four time British Latin Champion who has won International Open tites all across the globe. Kevin made his musical theatre debut in 2010, starring in Dirty Dancing in the West End. He has also already performed in some of the group dances on last year's series and is engaged to fellow Strictly professional Karen Hauer.

The new professionals will be joining the existing cast of Brendan Cole, Anton du Beke, James Jordan, Robin Windsor, Artem Chigvintsev, Pasha Kovalev, Ola Jordan, Kristina Rhianoff, Natalie Lowe and Karen Hauer.

Strictly Come Dancing is set to return in September.

Why not look at the rumoured contestants here?

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